VA Disability Compensation

The Compensation program provides tax-free monthly benefits to Veterans in recognition of the effects of disabilities caused by diseases, events, or injuries incurred or aggravated during active military service. The program also provides monthly payments to surviving spouses, dependent children, and dependent parents in recognition of the economic loss caused by the death of individuals during their military service or as a result of service-connected disability after their discharge.

To be eligible for disability compensation, the Veteran must have served under conditions other than dishonorable, and the disability must not be the result of the Veteran’s own misconduct. VA pays disability compensation monthly, and the amount varies according to the degree of disability and the number of dependents. The degree of disability is graduated from 0% to 100%, in increments of 10%. VA calculates the total service-connected disability by combining evaluations for individual disabilities rather than adding them. VA pays additional special monthly compensation when severe disabilities confine Veterans to their immediate premises, require the aid and assistance of others, or include anatomical loss or loss of use of extremities or creative organs.